Not wild about corn...

[MontanaMomma]

I've noticed my chickens aren't wild about corn. Personally, I'm not particularly wild about it myself. What nutritional value does it have? Isn't it mostly sugar? They are freerange and they get pellets with a corn base, scratch that includes dry corn, dry alfalfa (we don't have grass yet), weed scraps, table scraps and oyster shell. They don't eat the pellets if they can help it, and leave the corn on the ground for the magpies. I've started adding black sunflower seeds and oatmeal to their scratch, and they love that. I want to make my own chicken feed, but without corn. Any ideas?

 

[JimWWhite]

I've got 19 Gold Comets and they aren't too interested in dried corn either. We buy it at the local co-op and it's rough cracked. Now, fresh corn is another thing! They think corn on the cob is like manna from Heaven. I throw out a couple of ears when I can find them at the local market for a good price and in just a few minutes the cobs are picked clean and they're still going at 'em. This year I'm going to plant about four to six rows of plain old yellow corn out behind the chicken run just for them all summer and fall. I'll use the coop shavings for fertilizer and probably plant each row about a week or two apart so they don't all come in at the same time. That'll keep 'em happy.

 

[txchickie]

Mine go nuts for corn, but it's NOT nutritionally necessary. If you don't like it, don't feed it

They will be fine, it's only a treat!

 

[JohnL11935]

Corn is about 8% protein. For my laying hens its mostly used a treat, especially in the winter months. For the meaties, it helps add a nice layer of fat during the last couple of weeks.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
So do my girls. When they hear the metal barrel banging they go nuts.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Corn is not mostly sugar. It's mostly starch with a small amount of protein, fat, and other nutrients. It's also the single most common feed ingredient in the United States.

Given all the other stuff you are feeding your birds it's no wonder they turn their noses up at the corn.

Sunflower seed and rolled oats cost double, even triple what whole corn costs. If you only have a few birds or you don't care what the feed costs then give them whatever you please.

If they are free ranging I'd simply cut back on the amount of everything but the pellets and oyster shell until you reach the point where they are cleaning it all up every day. Otherwise it's just money thrown on the ground.

.....Alan.

 

[MontanaMomma]

Thanks for all the input. I don't really know what I'm talking about when it comes to chicken's digestion or general health (if it's still kicking, it is okay!), but I've taken corn out of my other pets' diets due to the affect it has on blood sugar and thus energy levels for humans. For mammals, there are so many other better choices for nutrition. Call me what you like, but I'm also worried about our nation's dependency on corn and corn byproducts, and the land being taxed by this demmanding crop. If anyone wants a great read about this, I recommend the book Fat Land. I think I will continue providing the pellets for my five lovely Leghorn ladies, but will mix my own scratch for them with the goal of keeping it at the same price as a bag of bought scratch. This will reduce the amount of money I'm throwing on the ground also. Thanks!

 

[BarredBuff]

Mine go ape when I spread it out, I make a scratch mix with lots of corn. My chickens love corn.

 

[Organics North]

Here is my feed.. If you do not want to study chicken nutrition and all the amino acids...Then I suggest buying a commercial feed. If not here is what I came up with so far. Most of my grains come from North Dakota, so you should be able to get them as you are closer.

I feed 10% corn an no soy. (I am anti soy and corn.) BUT corn has some nice things in it that compliment the field peas.. So 10% organic corn is what I am feeding.

Organics North Chicken Feed

6 part Black Oil Sunflower (17%P)
6 part Oats (12%P)
6 parts Red Wheat (17%P)
3 part Field Peas (24%P)

3 part cracked Corn (9%P)
3 part whole Flax (34%P)
3 part Alfalfa (17%P)

.5 part Kelp
.125 Oyster shell (assume the 7/8ths part of these four as 1 part for simplicity)
.125 DE
.125 Azomite


Notes:
For daily mash first 4 ingredients are mixed and sprouted. Last 7 ingredients are mixed and wetted for mash prior to mixing in with sprouts.

Proper ratio is as follows for daily serving..: 2+ parts sprouts to 1 part mash. (To be exact it is 9 7/8 parts mash to 21 parts sprouts..)


Above mix has ::: PROTIEN= 17% unsprouted

Sup. With meat or fish which is about 25% protien